Wedding In The Caribbeans- Jamaica The Place To Be

The Caribbean island of Jamaica is a familiar name among the travellers who love the sea, sand and sun with a mix of cultural diversity. Known as a hub for some relaxing and cozy holidaying, Jamaica has gradually attained the stature of being a perfect wedding location for couples who want to celebrate their unison in a different way.

Getting married outside your native land is a recent phenomena and is catching the imagination of the young and the adventurous. The enigma is toxic and it passes with stories to share and moments to cherish while cuddling up each other in lazy rainy evening.

So, if you are planning to get hitch shortly and want to altar the experience in to pearl in your memory, do visit Jamaica. The reason being its several aspects that makes it a preferred wedding destination.

Jamaican weather: The tropical weather of this island offers a perfect background for a romantic unison of hearts with the occasional rain blessing the newly weds. In Jamaica, you are open to choose your wedding venue either in a garden or a beach and with the conducive weather it becomes an ideal scene. The resorts have inbuilt Chapels, so no need to worry about divine presence.

Friendly Resorts: The resorts of Jamaica is tailor made for some wedding celebrations with all the required facilities. The party halls of these resorts can accommodate a considerable number of guests supported by a cooperative and humble staff. And if you fall under their terms and conditions of a privileged guest, you might stand a chance to have a wedding ceremony for free!

Wedding and Honeymoon at one shot: This is a practical but very interesting aspect of a Jamaican wedding. Why to brain storm on choosing the honeymoon site when you are already in one of the most popular one? The beaches, the restaurants combined with a mesmerizing night out by the sea makes up a honeymoon plan to envy of.

Friends and family also get the facilities: The only probable problem with a abroad wedding is the issue of the near and dear ones travelling down. But the free passes provided by some of the resorts as complimentary to the wedding bookings not only gives them the opportunity to fly to Jamaica but also spending a vacation there.

Cost effective angle: As you notice from whatever has been mentioned aforesaid, a wedding in Jamaica is not a very expensive affair. Avail the special packages that the resorts offer and get ready to flag off your new life in a new zeal and spirit.

Skiing In The Most Beautiful Resorts

Skiing is something, that I can't claim that, I am very much into and is quite been there it, done that kind of affair. This is not because of the fact that I don't like skiing; I truly enjoy doing it and am fortunate enough to experience the thrill in some of the best destinations for this spine chilling sport. I just feel that the more I do it, the more it leaves me with an insatiable desire to try it one more time! It reminds me of Britney Spears who explodes- Hit me baby one more time!!! and like her I also want to sulk by saying- Oops I did it again!

As I penned before, I am kind of lucky (another Britney number, you can blame it on my inclination towards her music) to ski down some awesome ranges across the globe. Here they go:


Saint Moritz, Switzerland: Wow! My trip to Switzerland was as freaking as it could have been! This ski resort is a sort of paradise with extended snow covered slopes that offers a memorable skiing session. Well, apart from the exciting skiing time in Saint Moritz, I really felt special when I learnt that several Bonds movies were also shot in this location! At the sideline of skiing, I also stepped in the Segantini Museum and visited the Morteratsch Glacier.

Verbier, Switzerland: I was not done with the former and bugged the guide for more skiing resorts. Helpless, the poor fellow suggested me to hit Verbier, another mind blowing destination. As I was based in Geneva which stands at a distance of 160 kms from it, I took a train to Verbier, though I had other options like hiring a cable car or boarding a bus. The slopes of Verbier are a tough deal as it threatens the pro and the ametuer alike. Of them, I liked the slopes of Mont Gele that truly met with my desire for a thrilling adventure.

Cortina d’ Ampezzo, Italy: Though I had already done much of skiing in Switzerland, I could not resist myself when I heard about the Cortina d‘ Ampezzo (Queen of the Dolomites) during my trip to Italy. The snow ranges are exotic and believe me, is a cool break from the Gondolas. Did I have a good time there!

Courchevel, France: Frankly speaking, I was in no mood to try skiing in France. Was happily strolling in the streets of Paris mingling with the finest crowd in the world. But, from nowhere I came to know about two of the most ecstatic skiing resort in the world that is located in this charming country. The first is Courchevel resort that offers a challenging slope for the skiiers, but it was not that toiling to over come that. And that left me with enough energy to burn in the party at La Croissette, right at the center of Les Caves.

Val d’ Isere, France: Once I stepped in this ski destination, I thanked my decision to come here. It was simply superb! The slopes are pretty high; but it really doesn't matter given the fact that you go skiing to push the limits. The stretch of the skiing range is almost 300 kms in area and is well equipped with modern resorts.

Quite heavy on the wallet though, but every penny spent is worth!

Michael Jackson: His Forlorn Legacy

Few people can boast of a legacy as left by Michael Jackson. The Superstar not only excelled in his music career albeit touched the life of millions across the globe. He had followers in zillions no matter what culture, religion, race or creed they belonged to!


Michael was born on August 28, 1958 - one of 9 kids. cute African-American very talented guy. Despite the current, sad stories about his lonely, sad childhood, Michael Jackson grew up surrounded by famous people and an adoring public. At the age of 5, Michael and his brothers were the amazing 'Jackson 5'. They played locally, then in New York and Philly.


His father reportedly nicknamed him "Big Nose". But Michael was very much apprehensive about his nose and he desperately wanted to get rid of the same.

This was his "Thriller" Era and his music touched millions of people across the globe no matter their language or culture or race or politics. Michael Jackson gets his nose slightly narrowed and his eyebrows shaped to match to the toes. Michael Jackson lived a life that of a king and only few can think of emulating such a lifestyle of extravaganza.

He was cute as hell and such was the charisma of this bronze skin lad that he was quoted as a cute little guy by many. Oh, baby! He went on giving interviews, had perfect sense of humor and was often seen on the national television basking in the glory of his success. Well what he was not seen with was wearing the face mask filled with oxygen layer. He had a big infectious smile enough to enchant his fans all the way round. He made hit after hit, celebrated music videos one after another, sealed obscenely huge record sales and contracts.

But then then something happens which really turns the life cycle of Michael Jackson upside down. His craze to beautify himself lands him into something which nobody can dream of!

He gets his nose work done again and the Plastic surgeon botches up the surgery. Truly pathetic! But this was not enough for him he gets cheek bones done. In a mere year and a half his skin's gone from beautiful cocoa bronze to fish belly white. He first denies this, then blames it on the medical condition Vitiligo which causes people of color to develop light patches of skin that lack pigment.


Well he doesn't say this, his "people" say this. Rumors mills also say that he's been allegedly taking female hormones to remove facial hair and keep that voice of his at the 12 year old boy pitch. Now he was speaking with the voice better connoted as a small girl's whispers!

Now Michael Jackson is said to have become creepy. He has become a point of joke for many and people quoting him as that “Only in America can you be born a black man and end up a white woman”.

If this was not enough Michael Jackson went on for a manly cleft in his chin and a dropped, square jawline. Oh God ! He gets his nose job done again and now sports little teeny triangles for nostrils and a sharp razor ridge you could grate cheese on!

He messed with it all again! Now his skin color has changed to toilet paper pink, cheeks seem to be squirrel socking nuts away for the winter. The devastating part is that the tip of his nose is so damaged from the operations that the tissues have died, and for sure he's now wearing a fake prosthesis tip!

The shocking news of child molestation charges comes to light and it was indeed the last straw for his sponsors to cancel his contracts!

Whatever strangeness occurred in his life, however wrapped in controversy his sudden death due to drugs overdose was another event that has become one of the milestones which history can never think of repeating. Jackson has left the world an incredible legacy that cannot be denied!

There are some people though for whom the influence of Jackson will much more significant. Well, they can never forget him and his legacy persists for time long.

His friends and family knew a totally different but far more significant version of the man and own his legacy in a totally different way. Chief amongst those people are his children, Prince, Paris, and Blanket. Their experience with the man were something totally unique and will live with them forever, even as they sit alone in isolation, wrapping duct tape around their arms and spreading cheesecake over their faces. They don't have any friends. They don't go to school, they have private lessons at home.


The three children apparently get along well with each but are paralyzed with fear when meeting outsiders, just like ordinary losers. The Jackson children really have had a unique life that will likely only become more so as it goes on. Yes, they lost their father but they also have access to virtually unlimited funds to sustain themselves.


Jackson lived a strange isolated life from a very young age and it turned him a little funny. That is a legacy he has passed onto his children and so it’s quite sensible to assume that they will also turn out strangely. For now they are just regular losers, but in the long term it will be quite rough.”Hard to believe but this was Michael Jackson.


For the millions of his fans, and even those who could care less about the man and music, that legacy will forever be a part of their lives.

Though the impact can diminish as time rolls on, as they grow and live their own lives, but Jackson will always be a part of them even if it is in some small way.

Cotton Castle in Turkey: Incredible Natural Wonder

When I was a child I use to dream about snow castles in a far off land... But with the passage of time my dream seemed to come true the day I visited this unusual natural and historical site in Turkey.

Sparkling white castle like cascades, Pamukkale is said to be one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world and is also one of the most important highlights of Turkey, unique in the world.

The name of this site comes from the Turkish word “Pamukkale”, that means “cotton castle”, and yes the name proves its worth parallel to the glorious and spectacular view of the site.

Few know that these are not snow capped sheets as they are mostly thought to be albeit dazzling white calcareous castles that are formed by limestone coated thermal springs, creating the unbelievable formation of stalactites, potholes and cataracts. Unbelievable! But true.

Legend has it that the ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white “castle” which is in total about 2700 meters long and 160m high. This can be seen from a great distance, while you drive down the hills on the opposite side of the valley to the town of Denizli, which is 20 kms that is a stone's throw away.

Pamukkale is located in the Turkey’s Inner Aegean region, in the river Menderes valley, which has a cool temperate climate throughout the year.

When I visited the place I was accompanied with my Geologist friend Oliver and he said that “The tectonic movements that took place in the fault depression of the Menderes river basin did not only cause frequent earthquakes, but also gave rise to the emergence of a number of very hot springs. The water from one of these springs, with its large mineral content i.e chalk in particular that created Pamukkale”.

It is also known that apart from some radioactive material, the water contains large amounts of hydrogen carbonate and calcium, which leads to the precipitation of calcium carbonate(chalk).

The resultant effect of this natural phenomenon leaves behind thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, making the area look like a fortress of cotton or a frozen waterfall. Spectacular right!

Pamukkale literally means ‘cotton castle’ and is one of Turkey’s most impressive natural wonders. Made up of a series of white travertine terraces cascading down a cliff almost 200 m high.

In order to preserve the beauty of the terraces, visitors may not walk through them but those who want to enjoy the thermal waters can take a dip in the nearby pool amongst fragments of marble pillars.

It was this thermal waters which lead to the founding of the spa town of Hierapolis at the end of the 2nd century BC by the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon.

What laymen see today is perhaps in one way the remains of the ancient ruins of baths, temples, the well-preserved theater and the largest necropolis or graveyard in Anatolia containing 1200 tombs.

I did not miss this chance of a natural thermal pedicure spa. It was so rejuvenating .

As per the locals this water has a lot of therapeutic properties which could heal skin ailments. Therefore, here we see a real lifetime thrill for the visitors indeed!

Scariest Airports in the World : Never Seen Before

How many times it has happened to you that when your plane takes off you clutch hard the seat endings as tight as it may come off! Well, not sure about you but this has surely happened with me whenever I fly.

But today, I would reveal you something which would really force you tearing apart your seat endings with fear and anxiety! This is about some of the scariest airports of the world. Weird in one sense or the other and yes this is not very easy for those chicken hearts!

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Caribbean island)


Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport in Saba is the only airport on the Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. It is well known among experienced fliers for the way in which airplanes must approach or take off from the airport.

Yrausquin Airport covers a relatively large portion of the small island of Saba. This is one of the most dangerous airports in the world, despite the fact that no major tragedies have happened at the facility.

The danger arises from the airport’s physical position. It is flanked on one side by high hills, and on the other side and at both ends of the runway by cliffs dropping into the sea. This creates the possibility that an airplane might overshoot the runway during landing or takeoff and end up in the sea or on the cliffs.

The airport’s sole runway is marked with an X at each end, to indicate to commercial pilots that the airport is closed for commercial aviation.

Courchevel Airport: Courchevel (France)

Courchevel is the name of a ski area located in the French Alps, the largest linked ski area in the world.

This airport has a certain degree of infamy in the aviation industry as home to a relatively short runway, with a length of 525 m (1,722 ft) and a gradient of 18.5%. This Airport is so short that you have to land on an inclined strip to slow down and take off on a decline to pick up enough speed. Freaky enough to give a heart attack to any adventure buff!


Madeira Airport (Portugal)
Madeira Airport is also known as Funchal Airport in Madeira. The airport controls national and international air traffic of the island of Madeira.

The airport was once infamous for its short runway as it was surrounded by high mountains and the ocean, made it a tricky landing for even the most experienced of pilots. The original runway was only 1,400 meters in length, but was extended by 400 meters later and subsequently rebuilt in 2003, almost doubling the size of the runway, building it out over the ocean. Instead of using landfill, the extension was built on a series of 180 columns, each being about 70m tall.

For the enlargement of the new runway, the Funchal Airport has won the Outstanding Structures Award, given by International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE). The Outstanding Structures Award is considered to be the "Oscar" for engineering structures in Portugal.



Kai Tak Airport,(Hong Kong)

The Kai Tak certainly sets the scare port bar when it comes to terrifying landings. The Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong was considered to be notorious for its stunt runway. Jumbo jets would literally do a tower-block fly-by, dropping through the mountains and skimming between high-rise flats and landing just before a drop in the ocean. A real thrill for those wonder pilots who were paid far more than their compatriots to fly the Hong Kong leg!

Narsarsuaq, (Greenland)
The approach to Narsarsuaq Airport is a bit like flying down a city street with tower-blocks on both sides. And then imagine King Kong sneezing at the plane, followed by a huge downward smack from above. That’s pretty much the sensation when landing in Greenland.

Pilots with in depth knowledge of the area’s meteorological trends and geographical understanding, can even attempt to land or take-off in Narsarsuaq. But to be on the safer side, take-offs are only allowed in the daytime, and each take-off is carefully orchestrated.

Once in a flight in Greenland you’ve dodged the air pockets and unpredictable wind shear, you’ve then got to handle towering icebergs on the flight path, which on a cloudy day appears as riding in the milky way and the fluffy clouds on the horizon. Think Titanic in the sky!



Make Kane Airstrip ( Lesotho)
Lesotho has the lowest point of any country in the world, and this perilous air strip is used by the Lesotho Flying Doctors Service.

Taking off at this air strip is really a harrowing experience, where the plane drops down the face of a 600 meter cliff until it starts flying.The runway is only 400 meters long .

So, Tighten up seat belts to get those freaking goosebumps! Get ready to fly!

South Africa prepares for World Travel Awards: 7th July 2010

Africa’s top destinations and leading travel operators all round the World are sweating hard to battle out on Wednesday July 7th 2010.


Well, no need to scratch your head hard as we spill out the beans. Folks! The World Travel Awards comes to South Africa.

This mega event is scheduled to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg in South Africa on 7th July 2010 ( http://www.hellotravel.com/south-africa). The World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Ceremony would be thrill for all the Travel and Tour operators around the World. This event offers participants a chance to win one of the most sought-after prizes in the travel and tourism industry.

The World Travel awards 2010 is described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ for the global travel and tourism fraternity. We cannot forget that it is this travel and tourism fraternity which proves to be the soul of the millions of travellers that has helped it - have helped improve quality, value and customer service over the past 17 years.

The nominations have been decided and those include some of the most respected and successful travel names and resorts in the business. The scheduled evening would be glittering enough with the top notch names in travel marking their presence in the the ceremony.

The evening also sees the presence of the region’s major company CEO’s, tourist board chiefs, association leaders and Government Ministers who would be making it a a spectacular affair.

The Celebrities who would be glowing up the ceremony include Miss World contestants and well known entertainers such as smash hit African hip-hop dance group, the Clinch Crew.

The best part is that the Travel industry professionals throughout the world are voraciously voting online for their preferred travel companies and organizations during the past four months. Voting is now closed and votes are counted ready for the big night.

Consumers and travellers use this list of winners as a reliable guide and means of choosing and reassurance when choosing their holiday, vacations and travelling.

It is also known that special awards are allotted to the best destinations. The travel companies and destinations that finish up on the winners podium would receive extensive commercial benefits and global profile.

So pack up your bags and rush for the earliest bookings as this is the ceremony you cannot afford to miss!